The "Pine Way" circuit, traverses most of the old rail line, insuring the value of the natural view and the local landscape, creating an easy ecological path between locations with old cultural, economic, and ecologic connection. The length of the route allows for travel on foot, bicycle, on horseback, by ski, and dog-sled for approximately 90 km. Possibilities for an overnight stay are the hamlet of Kovács Péter, the 4th Kilometer Hotel, and numerous establishments by the Red Lake.

Partners in creating this project financed by the Environmental Partnership Foundation of Miercurea-Ciuc, were Bãlan City Hall, Gheorgheni City Hall, Alpine Rescue Team "Dancurás" from Gheorgheni. The "Pine Way" begins in the town of Bãlan beside the Catholic Church (at intersection DJ 125 with Paraul Fierarilor Street), through the town 1km, parallel to the Olt River. The way from the town to the hamlet of Kovács Péter is marked by the Blue Strip (Information board indicator nr. 1). The Olt Valley offers many tourist attractions: Small water falls, whirlpools, mineral water springs, mountain homes, and protected plants and animals-"yellow Ghintura", Edelweiss, mountain goats, the mountain rooster, wild fruits, and mushrooms.
Continuing north on the marked Blue Cross way (Information board, panel 2) you arrive at the 4th Kilometer Motel, close to the town of Gheorgheni. From here, turn to the right and you find yourself at the old rail line, now marked with the Yellow Cross (Information board indicator nr. 3).
At the beginning of the last century, between 1910 and 1918, this line used a steam locomotive to transport logs and people traveling between Gheorgheni and the Red Lake, but has disappeared over the last century after it was no longer used. The trail you are traveling on is what remains of the track path. After 5 km, the Pine Trail crosses the modern highway and continues along the forest road, parallel to the Belchia River (Indicator nr. 4). Since the old bridge is no longer there, it is best to stay away from the Old rail line by turning to the right and traveling up the embankment until you arrive again upon the original trail (Indicator nr. 5). Cross the Gherpotocul Mic and Gherpotocul Mare valleys and you will be on the Pângãrati Summit (1255m, Indicator nr. 6), where you can find the crossing of many tourist trails and take the Great Trail marked with the Yellow Cross.

Down the hill of Muntelui Mic, the trail switches back and crosses the modern highway again (Indicator nr. 7). Travel along the modern road 250m and enter the concrete and iron barricade. There you will find yourself again on the "Pine Way". This section of the trail is recommended exclusively for hiking because of the terrain's ruggedness. Bicyclists are invited to take the main road 1,5 km to the Red Lake, where the trail is accessible again by the rock quarry if you desire. Following the Verescheu River valley, you can turn easily to the right, past the cols, and find yourself in the Capros river valley. Indicator nr. 8 shows you have arrived to the Oii River and the Yellow Cross trail is ended. You continue down the Ghilcos and Hãsmasul mountains on the trail marked with the Blue Strip, until you arrive to the Poiana Albã de Jos (Indicator nr. 9). Using the big dead pine as a land mark, our trail switches back to the right and there you begin following the Red Strip mark. This is the primary Carpathian crest, providing a beautiful view of the Gurghiului, Giurgeului, and Hãsmasului mountains. Pass by the Ciofronca peek and Luhas mountains, turn to the left, and you will be on the trail marked by the Red Cross (Indicator nr. 10). Now, you are almost finished with the "Pine way". Continue along the Olt and Mures rivers until you reach the hamlet of Kovács Péter, where the forest trail is marked by the Blue Strip, leading back to Bãlan.

We wish you a good journey and look forward to seeing you next year
on the extended trail to the village of Trei Fântâni.

NATURLAND Foundation:
535500 Gheorgheni Str. Márton Áron nr. 12.
Tel: 00 40 266 364116; 0744 786526
e-mail: naturland@hr.astral.ro